My name is Simona, and this year I am a Mentor at the Football Association Leadership Academy 2025 (FALA25). This is a leadership program that provides a platform for young people to develop projects that positively impact the football community. Although I do not have a connection with the football world, or knowledge of the game, my passion is to empower young people to become their best person. This is what motivated me to apply for the Mentor role. I have worked in higher education for almost eight years, as a Senior Advisor, helping university students navigate challenges and empowering them to take charge of their situation. Recently, I started a new role at Wolfson College (Cambridge University) as Community & Leadership Impact Coordinator. 

Walking into a space where most, if not all people, had football in common, was intimidating. I remember the night before travelling to the residential, having doubts and questioning whether I should go or if I’ll belong. On Sunday morning, I had to find my courage to continue the journey I had started and trust not only myself, but the wonderful people that selected me for the role. And, man, did I make the right choice! Benson Miyoba, the creator of the Two Seven Seven brand, spoke about yellow cars being opportunities, and if you spot them, you should grab them. This was my opportunity, too, and I am grateful and proud of being a part of it. 

A lot of people have spoken about the FALA feeling, and I could not agree more. It’s not just a place where young people get to take part in activities and workshops organised for them. It’s a place where they take ownership of these activities and decide the outcomes. The Two Seven Seven workshops were cleverly designed to allow the participants to take on leadership roles and act with agency. One activity required the participants to learn a skill and to put on a Britain’s Got Talent show for the judges. Some participants learned the skill better than others in a given time. During the activity, I observed participants bravely recognizing that they have not mastered the skill and other participants suggesting that everyone is good at something, and they should all get the chance to showcase the skills they are good at. Their leadership, team work and support for each other resulted in an excellent show which impressed the judges.

This year, the theme was LEGACY. FALA itself is a legacy that each participant will leave for the next generation of young people, and I truly believe that what makes it a great project is the participants, the FA National Youth Council and those supporting them. Each piece of the puzzle is ‘expertly curated’ to make it what it is. If I were to describe the feeling, I would probably use words such as ‘inspired’, ‘safe’, ‘challenged’, ‘courageous’, ‘stimulated’, ‘humbled’, ‘supportive’ and ‘fun’. 

I am excited to see the participants’ projects developing and coming to life!